Flash-light attachment for cameras.



PATENTED NOV. 17, 1903.

m1, HAMMER. FLASH LIGHT ATTACHMENT FOR CAMERAS.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 4, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHBIL? 1 'l'nllilllm N0 MODEL.

TNESSES:

PATENTED NOV. 17, 1903.

J. H. HAMMER. FLASH LIGHT ATTACHMENT FOR CAMERAS.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 4, 1903.

2 SHEBT$SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

//v VEN 70/9 /0/z/2 f/jfanmer A TTOHNE Y8.

UNITED STATES Patented November 17, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

FLASH-LIGHT ATTACHMENT FOR CAMERA S.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,540, dated November 17, 1903.

- Application filed March 4, 1903.

strains. 146.071. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. HAMMER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Marquette, in the county of Marquette and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Flash-Light Attachment for Cameras, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to flash-light attachments for cameras; and the purposeof the invention is to provide a construction of a device adapted fordirectconnection with the shutter of a camera having means'for supporting and exploding a flash-light charge and automatically and simultaneously operating the shutter of the camera, which operation of the shutter may be brought about by direct connection with a cylinder operated at the time of explosion ofthe flash-light mate-- rial and connected by a tube with the shutter or by the automatic compression of a bulb in tube connection with the shutter.

A further purpose of the invention is to so construct the fiash-lightattachment for cameras that it will not only be connected with I the shuttei of a camera, but also with an v alarm device of a clock, the latter attachment the connection betweenthe flash-light device and the camera-shutter. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the flash-light device set for operation. Fig. 3 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 2, the parts appearing in their normal position or the position they oc-' cupy just after a cartridge is exploded, showing also in dotted lines the trigger-block in the position it occupies when it acts upon the cap of the cartridge toexplode the same. Fig. 4 is a transversesection through the flash-light device, illustrating particularly the setting-shaft and its connections. Fig. 5

is a partial side elevation of the flash-light device and a sectional front elevation of the means carried thereby for compressing a bulb, and Fig. 6 is a. front elevation of scamera and clock and a side elevation of the flash-light device and connection between the shutter of the camera and the clock.

A represents a box-receptacle, which may be of any suitable form and may be of any desired material, and usually this box-receptacle is rectangular in general formation. Near one end of the said box-receptacle A, at the top, an opening 10 is made,(sh0wn particularly in Figs. 2 and 3,) and around this opening a depression llis'formed, in which isfitted the rim of a cartridge 12, adapted to contain a flash-light compound, the primer of which cartridge is over the opening 10. The cartridge is held in place by a clamping-plate 13, pivotally attached to the upper portion of the box-receptacle A, having a suitable opening 14 therein, through which the barrel of the cartridge 12 may upwardly extend.

' This clamping-plate 13is adapted to lie close upon the upper surface of the box-receptacle A and has an angular arm 15, which extends beyond the end of the box-receptacle-A adjacent to which the cartridge 12 is located; In this arm 15 a thumb-screw 16 is mounted to turn, adapted to enter the end wall 17 of the said box-receptacle A for the purpose of holding the locking-plate 13 in position to clamp the flash-light cartridge 12' upon the upper surface of the said box-receptacle.

When it is desired to prevent the accidental explosion of the material in the cartridge 12,

a slide 18 is carried over the opening 10 in the box-receptacle A beneath the cap or primer of the cartridge, and this. slide is connected with a rod 19, mounted in bearings 20 at the "inner upper surface of the box-receptacle A, and the said rod 19 extends out through the end of the box-receptacle A opposite that at which the. cartridge-clamping plate-13 islocated, terminating in a suitable knob 21, as is shown in Figs. 2and 3.

A substantially triangular trigger-plate B is eccentrically pivoted on a suitable shaft 23 at a point below the opening 10, exposing the'ca in the cartridge .12. This triggerblock is provided with a hammer projection 22, adapted in the operationof the trigger-block to be brought in forcible engagement with the cap or primer on the cartridge 12 and explode the-same, and thereby ignite held in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3- namely, with 'the hammer projection 22 at a point below the opening beneath the cartridge 1 2-by means of aspring 24, secured at one end to the under face of the top portion 'of the receptacle A and to the upper edge of the trigger-block B at a point between its inner upper end and itspivot 23. The inner upper end of the trigger-block B is pivotally attached to a link 25, andthis link is pivotally connected with a mainsprmg 26, which in the normal position of the partsof the device, as shown inFig. 3, extends almost parallel with the upper portion of the said re ceptacle A and is pivoted at its outer end upon a suitable stud or spindle 27, extending from side to side of the aforesaid box-receptacle.

. A controlling-spring 28 is attached to the mainsprin'g 26 between its ends, and the said controlling-spring 28 is likewise attached to the upper portion of the casing or box-receptacle A, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. A

crank-shaft Uis mounted to turn in the box-;

cured, which when thesaid'crank-shaft is turned in one direction will engage with the mainspring 26 and press the said spring downward, as is shown inFig. 2,bringing the said spring in such position as to permit the parts of the device to he brought in the said position. Normally, however, the said part 29 extends upward from the mainspring 26, as is shown in Fig. 3. This part 29, which is for locking engagement with the mainspring 26, is provided with two pins 30 and 31, (shown I in Figs. 2 and 3,) and on one pin-the pin 30,

for, exam'ple-an S'-link 32 is pivoted, which link in action is adapted to engage with the other pin 31, as is shown in Fig. 2. The said S-link at its outer end is connected with a plain link 33, and this link 33 is pivotally connected with the upper end of a spring 34, which spring at its lower endis securely fastened to the bottom portion of the casing A below theblock B, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The trigger-block B is provide'd with a notch 35 at its lower inner portion, to be engaged when the block is set by a nose 36, which is formed upon an end of a lever 37, which 1e ver is pivoted upon a suitable shaft or spindle 38, extending from side to side of the aforesaid casing or receptacle A.

Just below the end of the lever 37 opposite that at whichthe nose 36 is located for locking engagement with ,the tnigger blnck B a pallet 40 is-mounted 'up'on' asuitable shaft 39. As is shown in Fig. 6, this shaft 39 extends beyond oneside of the casingor receptacle A. Wheh the parts are set for action, the pallet 40 occupies a horizontal position,

(shown in Fig. 2;) but when the parts are to be tripped, so as to produce an action of the trigger on the block B on the cap of the cartridge 12, the'said pallet is given an upward position at one end, (shown in Fig. 3,) and in such position of the pallet the nose 36 of the .I ust after such an of the m ainspring, tending to draw it upward when the charge is to be fired, thus accelerating the movement of the block 13 to promote the ignition of the powder in the cartridge.

The action of the pallet 40 is brought about in the following manner: At one end of the shaft 39 an angle-lever 41 is secured, and this angle-lever is provided with a thumbpiece 43, extending at right angles therefrom. At the upper end of the lever 41 a link 44 is pivotally and adjustably attached, and this link. 44 is provided with a longitudinal slot 44, through which slota pin 44* is passed, and the said pin 44 is attached to a trip-arm 45, which trip-arm 45 is provided with a projection 46, extending inwardly therefrom. This projection or lug 46 is adapted to engage with a trigger-arm 47, which triggerarm is ivoted at one end of the casing or recepta A. This trigger-arm47 is provided wi h a nose 48, and when the triggerarm is in the vertical position (shown in Fig. 2) and the trip-arm 45 is in the horizontal position (shown in the same figure) the nose 48 of the'trigger-arm engages with and bears down upon the projection '46 from the triparm 45, and at the rear of thenose 48 a recess 49 is produced in order that the tripjection 46 is brought into the recess 49. Un-

der this arrangement of partsthey are held from operation until the lug or projection 46 from the trip-arm is released from the recess 49 in the trip-arm. Preferably the triparm 47 is mounted .UPOn a plate 47, which is-removabl'y mounted on the upperface of the receptacle or casing A, the said plate at one end being made to enter *beneath a bracket 48', attached to the upper portion of the receptacle or casing A. The plate 47 is locked in position through the medium of a thumb-nut 50, passing through a suitable slot in the plate and into the upper portion of the casing,A, as is also'tthown in Figs. 2 and.3. The trip-arm 45 is" secuied" upon a spindle 45, which is mounted in suitable bearings 45", located on the said removable plate 47", and a spring 45 is coiled around the spindle 45 which spring has hearing at one end IIO against the trip-arin45 and atits opposite end against the said plate 47, so that when the trip-arm is carried downward and in direction of an end of the casing A to an engagement with the trigger-arm 47, the said spring 45 is placed under tension.

A cylinder 51 is located in the casing or receptacle A, the said cylinder being provided With-a head having attached thereto a piston-rod 52, as is shown in Fig. 2, and this piston-rod 52 is pivotally attached to an end of a lever 53, which at its opposite end is secured to an upright 54, which is attached permanently to the bottom portion ofthe receptacle A. A spring 55 is secured to the bottom portion'of the said receptacle A, having an upward bearing against the locking- 2 and 3.

bar 37, which is adapted forengagement with the trigger-block B, as is also shown in Figs. At this ti-meit may be remarked that a spring 56 is coiled around the shaft or spindle '39, adapted to normally hold the pallet 40 in the inclined position shown in Fig. 3. A har 57 (see Fig. 4) is connected with the crank-arm of the crank-shaft C near one end of the lockiug-head 29, and this bar 57 is pivotally connected with the lever 53, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In the operation of this portion of the device when the handle 0, attached to the crank-arm C, is turned in one'direc tion the locking-head 29 is forced down upon the mainspring 26, compressing the said spring, as is shown in -Fig. 2, and at such time the S-shaped link 32 will be carried over the pin 31 on the said head 29 opposite the pin 30, on which the link is pivoted, thereby placing thespring 34 under more or less tension, and this spring 34 is of less strengththan'the mainspring 26. will be forced downward, thus drawing the piston-rod 52 from the'cylinder 51. The trip- 1 arm 45;is then drawn downward, as shown in Fig. 2, and is made to engage with the trigger-arm .247 in the manner shown in the same view. @When these parts are thus positioned,

the pallet 4U willbe brought to the horizontal position (shown in; Fig. 2) and will cause the nose 36. of the lockingdever 37 to enterthe notch 85ofthe trigger-block B and hold the said trigger-block from possible engagement with the cap of the cartridge 12, as is also shown in Fig. 2.

When thematerial 1n the cartridge 12 is to' be ignited, the triggerrarm 47 is--carried outward or indirection of. the end ofthe receptacle or casing A upon which it is'monnted,

thus releasing the trip-arm 45, which in flying upward will cause-the pallet 40 the inclined position shown in Fig.

to assume 3, thereby tilting up the heel portion of the lock-lever v.37 and throwing down the nose-section 36 of the said lever, carrying the latter part out of engagementwiththe trigger-block l andat the same time the link connection 25 between thesaid trigger-block and the. mainspring 2G will tend -to restore the" spring 26 to its nor- At the same time'the connecting-bar 57 mal position, (shown in Fig. 3,) assisted by thecoiled spring 28; but the action of the mainspring. 26 willcarry the trigger-block upward, so that its hammer projection 22- will engage with the' cap of the cartridge 12 and cause an ignition of the fiash-lightpowder in the said cartridge, as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and as soon as the mainspring 26 fully assumes its normal position thespring 24. connected directly with the trigger-block, will cause the latter to automatically resume its normal position.- (Shown in positive lines, Figs. 2 and As. the maiuspring 26 acts to assume its normal-position, assisted by the coiled. spring 28, the spring 34, connected with the locking-head 29, tends to carry the said headfrom engagement with, the mainspri'ng, thus turning the crank-shaft G and bringing the parts to the position shown in Fig. 3.

A tube 5'7 is connected with the cylinder 51, and this tube is. likewise connected with an actuating-cylinder 58 of any approved construction, forming a portion of a photographic shutter D.

It'w'ill be observed from'the foregoing description that when the locking-head. 29 is released from engagement with the mainspring 26 through the concerted action of the springs 28 and 34 the lever 53 is carried upward at its free end, thus forcing the pistonhead on the rod 52 upward in the cylinder 51, causing a pressure of air to occur in the tube 57, and th'usoperate the shutter D.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated the flash-light mechanism not only as connected with a camera,but likewise connected with an alarmclock 61. Such connection is'made through themediuni of a cord or link 59, connected with the trigger-arm 47 at its upper end and with the hammer 60 of-the alarm device, so that when the clock is set to a certain period of time and suclr time arrives and the alarm mechanism is set in motion the first outward movement of the hammer 60 of the alarm vmechanism will serve to carry the trigger-arm 47 out'of locking engagement with the triparm 45, thus permitting the mechanism of the flash-light device to operate and produce a flash in the manner which has been described.

It is not always necessary, although sometimes desirable, to have a time mechanism used in connection with the flash-light de vice. Therefore an attachment is made to the flash-light apparatus, as is particularly.

shown in Fig. 5, which will not automatically when the charge is ignited to press the bulb,

and so produce an exposure of the plate.v

This auxiliary device for compressing the bulb 63, and which is shown particularly Fig. 5, consists of a lower dish member which is permanently attached to the outer side of the casing or receptacle A, and above this lowor'dish member 62 guides 66 are se- L tired to the said ilash-light device. Between these guides a vertical tongue is mounted to slide, which tongue carries an upper member 64, convexed atits lower face and adapted to enter the dished permanent member 62 at its extremedownward movement and to compress the bulb 63, connected with the shutter of the camera, when said bulb is placed between the two members 62 and 6t. The upper compressing member 64c is normally directed to the fixed lower member 62 by a spring 67, having bearing against the upper surface of the upper member 64: and against the upper portion of a hood 70, which is attached to the receptacle A and extends downward a predetermined distance over the slide and above the upper member 64:. The said slide 65 is provided at one edge with racltteeth 68, andthesc rack-teeth are adapted to engage with a pinion 69, which is upon the outer end of the crank-shaft 0. Therefore under this arrangement when the mainspring 26 assumes its normal or straightposition, (shown in Fig. 3,) due to releasing the trigger-arm 47 from the trip-arm 45, the crankshaft 0 is revolved at the time that the locking-head 29 is carried away from the mainspring 26, and at such time the member 64, attached to the slide 65, will be brought in direction of the lower or dished member 62, and the bulb 63 between these two members will be compressed and the shutter of the camera will be opened at the same time that the flash is produced.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent-'- 1. In a flash-light attachment for cameras, a holder for the flash-light cartridge, a do vice for igniting the contents of thecartridge, an operating mechanism for the ignition device, and an air-compressing cylinder also operated simultaneously with the ignition device and through the same means, which cylinder is adapted for connection with a shutter, as described.

2. In afiash-light attachment for cameras, a receptacle, a cartridge-holding clamp carried thereby, a striking device'for the carfridge, an air-compressing cylinder, a triggerarm, a trip-arm adapted for control by the trigger-arm, and actuating connections between the trip-arm and the cylinder and betweiin the striking device and trip-arm, as set fort 3. In a flash-light attachment forcameras, a receptacle, a cartridge-holding clamp exteriorly mounted upon the receptacle, a striking device for the cartridge, mounted to rock in the receptacle, an air-compressing device mounted in the receptacle and having an exriorly mounted upon the receptacle,a spring controlled striking device for the cartrid mounted for oscillation in the receptacle, an

air-compressing cylinder in the receptacle, having an outlet adapted to receive a tube, a lock-lever for the'striking device, an actuating-lever for, the air-compressing cylinder, a

controlling-spring for the striking device, and

a controlling mechanism for the said controllingspring andthe cylinder, whereby said parts are simultaneously operated in the manner described.

5. In a flash-light attachment for cameras, a receptacle, 3 cartridge-holding clamp for the receptacle, a striking device mounted to rock in the receptacle, and an air-compressing cylinder also within the receptacle, a locklever 'for the striking device, a lever for operating the piston-rod of the cylinder, a depressing mechanism for the said. mainspring and piston-rod of the cylinder, means for releasing the depressing mechanism, and a trigger arranged to lock the trip device in position to hold the striking device temporarily against movement, as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of 

